The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has, for years, been a bastion of left wing partisanship, so outside the norm that it was, by far, the single most overturned circuit court in the country.
But is it now? I wonder.
When Donald Trump became President, the 9th – a 29 judge court – was comprised of 19 Democrats and 6 Republicans, with four vacancies.
But, with two new appointees confirmed in May, President Trump has put six judges on this court (with a 7th in progress)….and as of this moment the court is comprised of 16 Democrats and 11 Republicans, with two vacancies.
It it still a Democrat majority? Yes. But is it likely to be ruling the same way with a political disparity of 5 judges than it did with a disparity of 13? Very doubtful.
We talk a lot about the major issues occupying President Trump’s time, such as the economy, trade and foreign relations. But a lot is happening below the surface as well.
If the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals becomes more equitable/less outside the judicial mainstream in its rulings – which, to me, seems a near certainty – that is an achievement well worth noting.
So I did. End of blog.
